Systematic Position:

Distribution:

It is a serious pest of coffee, preferably robustia coffee, in all coffee growing regions of South India.

Nature of Damage:

The female adults and grubs make pin holes on twigs leading to the formation of tunnels inside the intermodal part of the host plant. Tunneling causes decolouration around the hole. Leaves become hollow and fall off. The young plant usually dies out and the older ones become unhealthy. Pest infestation is most severe after monsoon i.e., November and December.

Marks of Identification:

The adults are short cylindrical beetles of dark-brown colour.

Life History:

The female beetle forms tunnel in the bark of intermodal part of the tertiary branches of the host plant. Inside tunnel female lay about 50 eggs. After 7 days, eggs hatches into larva. The larvae are white and apodus. They feed on ambrosia fungus, which grows on excreta produced by the adult beetles inside the tunnel.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

After about 20 days the larvae undergoes pupation and forms cocoon near the exits of the tunnel. After about 10 days of pupation, adult beetle emerges out. Life cycles is completed within 40 days. Several generations are completed in a year.

Control:

Cultural Method:

ADVERTISEMENTS:

1 The affected shoots should be removed and destroyed in the earlier stage of infestation.

2. Healthy soil and good drainage increases the plant’s tolerance to the damage produced by the pest. .

3. The thin shading over the plantation helps in keeping the pest under control.